IndiaPosted at: Nov 8 2026 3:20PM


PM Modi celebrates Diwali with security forces in Bastar, says India has won decades-long battle against naxalism

New Delhi, Nov 8 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday celebrated Diwali with security personnel in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, paying tribute to their courage, sacrifices and unwavering commitment to the country's security, while declaring that the festival of lights in 2026 was particularly significant as India had overcome the decades-long challenge of Naxalism and Maoist violence.
Describing it as a very special Diwali, Modi said the country was celebrating the festival for the first time after achieving a major breakthrough in its prolonged fight against Left-Wing Extremism, with every district now free from the official classification of Naxal-affected areas.
In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister shared his experience of celebrating the festival with the security forces in Bastar and said, "A very special Diwali with our brave security forces in Bastar, Chhattisgarh."
Addressing security personnel during his visit, Modi described Diwali 2026 as a historic occasion, underlining three significant developments that, according to him, had transformed the country's internal security landscape.
"Saal 2026 ki ye Diwali waqai vishesh hai!" he said, explaining that this was the first Diwali after the country had won its decades-old battle against Naxalism and Maoist terrorism. It was also the first Diwali in which every district of the country was free from Naxalism and crores of Indians had overcome the fear associated with Maoist violence.
The Prime Minister said the achievement represented a significant milestone in India's internal security efforts and reflected the determination of the government and the sacrifices made by security personnel over the years.
Highlighting another important milestone, Modi said that, for the first time in 47 years, not a single Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel had lost his life in operational duties during the preceding 12 months.
He described the development as a victory for the country's policies and political determination, while acknowledging the courage, dedication and professionalism of the security forces.
"This is the victory of the country's right policies and firm resolve," he said, referring to the unprecedented year without an operational fatality in the CRPF.
The CRPF's achievement is particularly significant given its extensive deployment in some of India's most challenging security theatres, including anti-Naxal operations, counter-terrorism duties in Jammu and Kashmir and counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast.
The force's Director General, G P Singh, had earlier confirmed that it had completed 12 consecutive months without an operational fatality, with the last such death reported on October 30, 2025.
Modi also sought to underline that the transformation in the Naxal-affected regions had not been achieved through security operations alone.
He said the government's emphasis on public welfare, development and improving the lives of people in areas affected by Naxal violence had played an important role in bringing communities closer to the administration and security forces.
"We have transformed the lives of people in Naxal-affected areas through a spirit of service. That is why even those who suffered from Naxalism stood firmly with the government and security forces," he said.
The Prime Minister's remarks highlighted the government's argument that the decline of Maoist violence was closely connected with the expansion of development initiatives and the restoration of public confidence in areas that had remained isolated from mainstream economic and administrative activity for decades.
Bastar, once regarded as one of the strongest bastions of Maoist insurgency, has been at the centre of the government's intensified campaign against Left-Wing Extremism. The region, particularly its remote forested areas, had witnessed repeated encounters, attacks on security personnel, disruption of development projects and intimidation of local communities over several decades.
The government has pursued a combination of security operations, infrastructure development, road connectivity, welfare schemes and rehabilitation measures to address the problem. The Ministry of Home Affairs has said that the number of Naxal-affected districts, which stood at 126 in 2018, had fallen to zero in March-April 2026.
However, 37 districts continue to be classified as legacy and thrust areas requiring sustained security and development interventions, while one district remains under the district-of-concern category.
Against this background, the Prime Minister's decision to spend Diwali with security personnel in Bastar carried particular significance, as the region symbolises both the prolonged security challenge and the government's claimed progress in containing Maoist violence.
Modi also linked the country's broader development achievements with the decline of extremism, saying that India had witnessed two major transformations simultaneously.
"Today, on one hand, 50 crore people have come out of extreme poverty. On the other, Naxalite violence has also come to an end in the country," he said.
The Prime Minister presented these developments as evidence of the wider changes taking place in the country, arguing that improved living conditions and development opportunities had strengthened the fight against violence and extremism.
His interaction with the security personnel also served as an occasion to acknowledge the sacrifices of thousands of members of the armed and paramilitary forces who have served in difficult conditions, particularly in remote and conflict-affected regions.
The CRPF and other security forces have played a central role in the prolonged campaign against Maoist insurgency, often operating in difficult terrain and facing considerable risks while protecting civilians, securing infrastructure and facilitating the delivery of government services.
For the personnel deployed in Bastar, celebrating Diwali with the Prime Minister was also a symbolic recognition of their contribution to the country's internal security.
Emphasising his personal bond with those guarding the nation, Modi reiterated that the security personnel were an integral part of his extended family and that their service deserved the gratitude of the entire country.
The Prime Minister's Diwali visit thus combined a tribute to the security forces with a broader political and developmental message about the government's campaign against Naxalism. While declaring the end of Naxal violence as a major national achievement, he also stressed the need to consolidate the gains through continued development and public participation.
Summing up his message on a warm note, Modi said that Diwali became even sweeter when celebrated with those who protect the country.
"Diwali is sweeter with those who protect us!" the Prime Minister said.
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